Shoe heel support device

ABSTRACT

A shoe heel support device for providing support and stability to a heel of a shoe when worn, is described. The support device is includes an attachment means for fastening the device to the heel of a shoe, and a ground contacting surface. The ground contacting surface contacts a surface of ground in use, such that a generally downwards force applied by a wearer of the shoe to a base of the shoe heel is distributed over an area that is greater than that of a surface area of the base of the shoe heel. The device is particularly useful for application in instances where a high heeled shoe is being worn upon surfaces that are soft, by preventing or inhibiting the heel of the shoe from sinking into the ground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shoe heel support device forproviding a supporting platform to a heel of a shoe, such as providingsupport for a stemmed or high heel, particularly useful for preventingor inhibiting the heel from sinking into a surface when the shoe isbeing worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that there is a large number of different types offootwear, including shoes that cater for different functions andfashions. Women's shoes, in particular, are often equipped with a raisedor high heel. In many instances, the design of the heel is such that theheel is relatively narrow in width, with the heel essentially consistingof an elongate stem. An example of this is the known stiletto heel.However, there are many other different types of heel designs thatgenerally consist of a stemmed shape or configuration.

A problem that may be encountered by a person wearing shoes with such aheel is that the heel may sink into the ground that is being walkedupon. This is a particular problem when the ground is soft, such as sandor grass. In these instances, it can become difficult for the person towalk upon such a surface, as the heel must often be pulled out of theground with each step. A similar problem can be encountered when theground is relatively unstable, such as when walking on a gravel road orpath. In such an event, the narrow stem structure of the heel can sinkin between rocks or pebbles that make up the ground. This may lead togeneral instability for the person walking thereon, thereby increasingthe possibility of injury by, for example, falling and spraining ortwisting an ankle. In addition, in such circumstances, there is also thecapacity for causing damage to the shoe, in particular the heel. Thelikelihood of damage to the shoe is greater for those shoes that aremanufactured from delicate materials, such as suede or fine fabrics.Unfortunately, it is often the case that such shoes are most often themost expensive to buy and their subsequent repair or replacement maycome at significant expense to their owner.

Similar safety and shoe maintenance problems can also be encounteredwhen high heeled shoes are worn whilst walking upon a surface that hasnumerous or significant gaps, for example, upon planks of a deckingsurface.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part theaforementioned disadvantages and problems that may be encountered whilstwearing raised or high heeled shoes, particularly whilst standing orwalking upon surfaces that are soft, unstable or generally uneven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda shoe heel support device, the support device having an attachmentmeans for attaching the device to a heel of a shoe and a groundcontacting surface, wherein a generally downwards force applied by awearer of the shoe to a base of the shoe heel is distributed over anarea that is greater than that of a surface area of the base of the shoeheel.

Preferably, the attachment means includes a recess, the recess beingarranged to receive at least a portion of the heel of the shoe and toretain the heel therein.

Further preferably, the recess of the attachment means has a hollowshaft extending upwardly and continuously from the recess, so that theshaft and recess together form a bore to receive the heel. This offers aparticular advantage in those instances where the shoe heel is stemmedor elongate. In this manner, the bore is better enabled to receive anelongate stem of the heel and retain the stem therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the recess has a tapered or narrowed portionat a lowermost end, adjacent an upper surface of the base portion. Thetapered or narrowed portion advantageously acts to constrict movement ofthe heel once received in the recess, and assists in retaining the heeltherein.

It is particularly preferred that at least part of an inner surface ofthe recess, including the narrowed portion, is lined with a resilientand non-abrasive material, having the ability to provide grip upon sidesof the heel, such as silicone, without causing frictional damage tosides of the heel.

In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the inner surface of therecess is lined with or is comprised of a heat-deformable material, suchas a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer, which is solid in an unheatedstate and malleable in a heated state. This advantageously enables thecreation of a custom-fit plug within the recess to better facilitate theability of the attachment means to grip and retain the heel.

An additional discrete quantity of the heat deformable, thermoplastic orthermoset material may optionally be provided, to add to the materialpresent within the recess, to further assist in the creation of theadvantageous custom-fit plug about the heel. The additional amount ofmaterial is particularly useful in instances where the heel is smallerrelative to the inner dimensions of the recess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of a shoe heel supportdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a side cross-section of the shoe heel support device of FIG.1;

FIG. 2 b is a side cross-section of an alternative embodiment of a shoeheel support device in accordance with the present invention, having ashape adapted for use with shorter shoe heels;

FIG. 2 c is a side cross-section of a further embodiment of a shoe heelsupport device in accordance with the present invention, including asole portion;

FIG. 2 d is a side cross-section of a further embodiment of a shoe heelsupport device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-section of the shoe heel device of FIG. 2 b,including a sole portion;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-section of the shoe heel device of FIG. 3,further including a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly fromthe sole portion;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-section of a further embodiment of a shoe heeldevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-section of an embodiment of the shoe heel devicewith an alternative attachment means;

FIG. 7 a is a side cross-section of the device showing application of adeformable compound to provide a custom-fit plug for a heel of narrowwidth;

FIG. 7 b is a side-cross section of the device showing application ofthe deformable compound to provide a custom-fit plug for an irregularshaped heel;

FIG. 8 a is a side view of a removable protective sleeve for the device;and

FIG. 8 b is a side view of the protective sleeve of FIG. 8 a in placeupon the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a shoe heel support device 10for use with a heel 11 of a shoe, for providing greater stability for awearer of the shoe in use, such as by preventing or inhibiting the heel11 from sinking into a surface. The device 10 is particularly suited foruse with a stemmed or elongate heel of a high heel shoe. However,embodiments of the device 10 are also described, for use with shortershoe heels.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 a to 2 e, the device 10 comprises abase portion 12 with an attachment means 14 for removably fastening thedevice 10 onto the shoe heel 11. The base portion 12 has a groundcontacting surface 16 at a lowermost portion of the base portion 12. Thecontacting of the surface 16 with the ground acts to distribute theforce that is applied to a base of the shoe heel 11 by a wearer of theshoe, over a surface area that is greater than the surface area of thebase of the heel 11. By distributing the force over a greater area, thebase portion 12 effectively provides a stabilising platform for the heel11 and can thereby act to minimise the amount the heel 11 sinks into theground, particularly when the ground is soft or unstable.

In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the base portion 12 comprises agenerally circular platform, with a lowermost surface defining theground contacting surface 16. However, the base portion 12 may beprovided in any shape that will provide adequate contacting between thelower surface 16 and the ground so as to disperse the downwards force asapplied to the heel over a greater surface area than the surface area ofthe base of the heel. For example, a further preferred shape of the baseportion 12 is a substantially U-shaped platform, with the bottom of theU being disposed towards a rear of the shoe.

Alternatively, it is also within the scope of the invention that thebase portion 12 and ground contacting portion 16 be provided in furtherdesired shapes, or having patterns or a design thereupon. An example ofthis is the provision of the ground contacting portion 16 in the shapeof a promotional logo, or having a company brand embossed or imprintedupon the surface.

In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the ground contacting surface16 comprises the entire surface area of the lowermost surface of thebase portion 12. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), theground contacting surface 16 need not necessarily be a solid surface.Rather, it need only have sufficient contact points with the ground soas to be able to distribute the downward force applied to the heel bythe wearer over a surface area that is greater than the base of theheel. For example, the ground contacting surface 16 may be comprised ofa number of relatively small surface areas, arranged in a pattern orconfiguration that is able to distribute the force over a greatersurface area than the surface area of the base of the shoe heel.

The base portion 12 is preferably constructed from a resilient material,having high impact resistance and preferably some flexibility, such as ahard resin, ethyl vinyl acetate or polyurethane. However, the baseportion 12 and the majority or totality of the device 10 may becomprised of any suitable material, such as any hard plastic or rubber.Further preferably, the base portion 12 is translucent or transparent soas to minimise any visual detraction from the aesthetic of the shoeitself. However, the base portion 12 and device 10 in its entirety mayoptionally be provided in any colour, such as a colour that matches thecolour or material of the shoe.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through to 5, the attachment means 14includes a recess 21 extending downwardly into the base portion 12 froman upper surface 18 thereof. The recess 21 is preferably disposedcentrally to the base portion 12. The recess 21 has an opening 23adjacent the upper surface 18 that is arranged to receive the stem ofthe heel 11. As such, the opening 23 and recess 21 are preferably of ashape and configuration that is comparable to and thus able toaccommodate the size and shape of the heel 11 stem being received. Thatis, the shape of the opening 23 and recess 21 can be varied betweendifferent and discrete units of the device 10 so as to accommodatedifferent types of heel stems.

The shape and configuration of the recess 21 may also be varied tobetter accommodate variation in heel shape and configuration. Referringnow to FIGS. 2 a and 2 c to 2 d, it will be seen that the recess 21 ofthe attachment means 14 is upwardly elongate, to accommodate a heel withan elongate stem. In these embodiments, the recess 21 further includes ahollow shaft 20 extending upwardly from the upper surface 18 of the baseportion 12. The hollow shaft 20 is provided with an internal bore 21,which is arranged to receive a length of the heel stem substantially inthe manner described above. Preferably, the shaft 20 is integrallymoulded with the base portion 12. It is also preferred that an upper end38 of the shaft 20 be rounded, to minimise any possible contact damagewhere the upper end 38 meets the shoe once the device 10 is attached.

In FIG. 2 b, there is shown an embodiment of the device 10 where therecess 21 of the attachment means 14 is suited for receiving a heelhaving a shorter length. In this embodiment, there is no requirement fora shaft 20, as the height of the recess 21 is sufficient to support andretain a lower heel therein.

In any of the abovementioned embodiments, it is particularly preferredthat the recess 21 has a tapered or narrowed portion 24 at a lowermostend, adjacent the upper surface 18 of the base portion 12. The narrowedportion 24 is provided to better enable the recess 21 to more readilyaccommodate heel stems of differing widths or diameter, whilst stillbeing able to grip and thereby secure the device 10 thereon. In thismanner, the narrowed portion 24 constricts movement of the heel stemwithin the recess 21 to grip the base of the heel and provide a stablegrip on the base of the heel so as to retain the heel therein.

It is also particularly preferred that an inner surface of the recess 21and, where applicable, the shaft 20, is at least partially comprised ofor at least partially lined with a material 22 that is non-abrasive andhas the ability to provide grip sides of the heel or heel stem. Anon-limiting example of such a material is silicone. Lining the innersurface of the recess 21 and/or shaft 20 with such a material 22 offersthe advantage whereby the heel is not damaged by frictional interactionwith the inner surface of the recess 21 or shaft 20, yet the heel isgripped within the recess 21 so as to retain therein. This isparticularly advantageous in instances where the device 10 is fittedonto shoes manufactured from delicate materials, such as silk or suede.

Referring to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b, there is shown a particularly preferredembodiment, where at least part of the inner surface of the recess 21,including the narrowed portion 24, is comprised of a heat deformablematerial 36, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. The material36 has properties which enables it to be softened with the applicationof moderate heat, and is solid, preferably slightly flexible, in anunheated state. In this manner, the material 36 may be softened by, forexample, placing the device into a body of hot or near-boiling water.

The material 36 is thus advantageously able to form a custom-fit plugaround the heel 11 by taking an exact impression of the heel 11 once theheel 11 is appropriately placed into the recess 21 and pressing into thematerial 36. The shape of the custom-fit plug is maintained by thematerial 36 upon cooling.

This material 36 may also be provided as a separate and additionalcomponent to the device 10, to be used if necessary. In the event wherethere is inadequate material 36 present within the recess 21 to retainthe heel 11 firmly therein, the additional material 36 may be insertedinto the recess 21 prior to heating of the material 36 and introductionof the heel 11 into the recess 21. The additional material 36 adheres tothe material 36 already present within the recess 21 so the combinedamount is able to form the custom-fit plug about the heel 11. This isparticularly useful in those instances where the dimensions of the heel11 are significantly smaller than the inner dimensions of the recess 21.

Although the aforementioned is a preferred attachment means 14, itshould be understood that the attachment means 14 may be any mechanismor arrangement that is able to securely yet removably fasten the device10 to the heel 11 of a shoe. For example, referring to FIG. 6, there isshown an alternative embodiment of the device 10, having an attachmentmeans 14 comprising a spike 32, extending generally upwardly within therecess 21. The spike 32 has a pointed tip 34, arranged to pierce thebase of the heel 11 upon appropriate placement of the heel 11 into therecess 21.

The spike 32 attachment means 14 is particularly useful in thoseinstances where the recess 21 is relatively shallow. The provision of ashallow recess 21, as shown in FIG. 6, is particularly adapted for usewith shoes having a heel 11 for which greater stability or protection isdesired, but which does not have a relatively great length. That is, inthose instances where the heel 11 is not particularly high.

It is also within the scope of the present invention that the device 10in any of the forms as hereinbefore described, be provided withadditional features for adapting the device 10 for use upon differentgrounds and terrain. For example, to accommodate the wearing of the shoewhilst standing or walking upon surfaces composed substantially ofparticulate matter, such as gravel, woodchips or pebbles, the baseportion 12 is further provided with a sole portion 26, as shown in FIG.4. The sole portion 26 is layered upon the lowermost surface of the baseportion 12 and is effectively the ground contacting surface 16.Preferably, the sole 26 is comprised of rubber padding, hard rubber orother similar material, in order to provide some gripping propertybetween the device 10 and the ground. The sole 26 may optionally have atread so as to increase the ability of the device 10 to grip the ground.

The sole portion 26 or the ground contacting surface 16 of the baseportion 12 may also be provided with a plurality of downwardly extendingprotrusions 28. The protrusions 28 may be in the form of metal spikes orrubber nodules and are provided to assist the device 10 to grip uponslippery surfaces, such as polished floors or even on icy surfaces.

In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the ground contacting surface16 of the base portion 12 is concave, forming a generally inverted cup30. The inverted cup 30 configuration is particularly adapted for usewhen walking upon sandy or other similar surfaces comprised of fineparticulate matter. Upon walking on such surfaces, the cup 30 fits overand partially into the particulate matter and the particulate matterfills into the cup 30. In this way, the particulate matter is capturedwithin the cup 30, thereby forming a cushion of the material so as toprovide support for the heel 11 to which the device 10 is fastened.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, there is shown a protective sleeve40, adapted to be fitted over the ground contacting surface 16 and atleast part of the base portion 12 of the device 10. The sleeve 40 isprovided to enable the basic device 10, as shown in, for example, FIGS.2 a to 2 c, to be safely worn whilst walking upon a greater variety ofsurfaces. For example, the sleeve 40, which is preferably comprised froma firm yet deformable rubber, can be provided with tread or downwardlyextending protrusions, to afford greater grip upon the surface when wornin use.

The sleeve 40 is provided in any suitable deformable material, so thatsides of the sleeve 40 can be squeezed together to enable the device 10to fit into an upper opening 42 of the sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 is thusarranged to be fitted over an outer surface of the base portion 12, asshown in FIG. 8 b.

The sleeve 40 may be provided in any suitable shape and configuration toappropriately fit a particular shape of device 10. It will be seen,particularly from FIGS. 2 a to 2 d, that the overall shape andconfiguration of the device 10 may be varied. For example, the device 10as shown in FIG. 2 a has a base portion 12 with an upwardly curvingupper surface 18 and a rounded outer edge. In FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, theouter surface slopes upwardly in a generally linear fashion. In FIG. 2d, the upper surface 18 of the base portion 12 has a gentle slopetowards the shaft 20. Such modifications in the design, shape andconfiguration of the device 10 can be made for aesthetic or functionalpurposes, such as to provide reinforcement and strength to the baseportion 12, and are considered to be non-limiting and within the scopeof the present invention.

In use, the device 10 is fastened onto the heel 11 of a shoe byengagement with the attachment means 14. In the embodiment shown in theFigures, this engagement entails the stem of the heel 11 being insertedinto the recess 21 and/or shaft 20 of the attachment means 14 so thatthe base of the heel 11 is adjacent the base portion 12.

When appropriate for the particular circumstances, the material 36 issoftened by heat, prior to introduction of the heel 11 into the recess21. An additional amount of material 36 may be inserted into the recess21 if required. The device 10 is then placed on a firm surface and theheel 11 introduced into the recess 21. The heel 11 is firmly pushed intothe material 36 to form an impression of the heel 11 in the material 36.The material 36 is then cooled, optionally by running under cool water,so as to set the material 36 in this shape. The heel 11 may be removedfrom the recess 21 prior to cooling the material 36.

It will be appreciated that the provision of, and manner of use of thematerial 36 in forming a custom-fit plug for the heel 11 is such thatthe shape of the material 36 may be customized, as applicable, fordifferent heels 11 of varying sizes and dimensions. This is facilitatedby alternate heating and cooling of the material 36 as required.

In the embodiment having the upwardly extending spike 32, the heel 11 isimpaled upon the spike 32 so as to firmly attach the device 10 thereto.

The device 10 is thus suitably fastened onto the heel 11 in a mannerthat is sufficiently secure to allow the person wearing the shoe to walkwithout the device 10 falling off or becoming loose.

If the surface being walked upon requires, the protective sleeve 40 maybe placed over the ground contacting surface 16 and base portion 12 inthe manner described above.

When the surface being walked upon becomes amenable for walking upon inhigh heeled shoes without any added support or stability, the device 10may no longer be required. In this event, the device 10 may be removedfrom the heel of the shoe by simply grasping the base portion 12 orshaft 20 and pulling the attachment away and off from the heel 11.

Modifications and variations of the aforementioned invention, as wouldbe apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope ofthe present invention.

It should also be understood that comprises/comprising and grammaticalvariations thereof, when used in this specification and the accompanyingclaims, are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but are not limited soas to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

1. A shoe heel support device, the support device having: an attachmentmeans for attaching the device to a heel of a shoe, the attachment meanshaving a recess with a narrowed portion, the narrowed portionconstricting movement of the heel within the recess so as to retain theheel within the recess; and a ground contacting surface, wherein agenerally downwards force applied by a wearer of the shoe to a base ofthe shoe heel is distributed over an area that is greater than that ofthe surface area of the base of the shoe heel.
 2. A shoe heel supportdevice according to claim 1, wherein the narrowed portion is disposed ata lowermost end of the recess.
 3. A shoe heel support device accordingto claims 1, wherein an internal surface of the recess is at leastpartially comprised of a material having properties to enable thematerial to grip sides of the heel upon insertion of the heel into therecess.
 4. A shoe heel device according to claim 3, wherein the materialis a heat deformable material, whereby the material maybe softened bythe application of heat to receive the heel within the recess and form aplug about the heel.
 5. A shoe heel device according to claim 4, whereinthe heat deformable material is a thermoset or thermoplastic material.6. A shoe heel device according to claims 1, wherein the attachmentmeans further includes a hollow shaft extending continuously andupwardly from the recess.
 7. A shoe heel device according to any one ofclaims 1, wherein the attachment means further includes a spike,extending upwardly from a base of the recess and arranged to engage withthe base of the shoe heel.
 8. A shoe heel device according to claim 1,wherein the ground contacting surface comprises a platform with alowermost surface defining the ground contacting surface.
 9. A shoe heeldevice according to claim 8, wherein a sole portion is layered upon thelowermost surface of the base portion, the sole portion providing agripping surface.
 10. A shoe heel device according to claim 1, whereinthe ground contacting surface has a plurality of downwardly extendingprotrusions arranged to assist the device to grip upon ground.
 11. Ashoe heel device according to claim 1, wherein the ground contactingsurface is concave and forms a cup portion.
 12. A shoe heel deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the base portion tapers outwardly from amid-region towards an outer perimeter.
 13. A shoe heel device accordingto claim 12, wherein an upper surface of the base portion is concave asit tapers outwardly.
 14. A shoe heel device according to claim 1,wherein the device is provided with a removable protective sleeve, thesleeve adapted to fit adjacent the ground contacting surface and atleast part of the upper surface of the base portion.